Cytoprethaline

"Turns out the cryo blisters and your difficulty breathing are an allergic reaction to the cytoprethaline. It's a drug we inject to keep ice crystals from forming in your cells during cryosleep. Occurs in about 1 in every 50,000 or so."

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Cytoprethaline prevents damage to cell membranes from ice crystal formation. It is usually injected, recommended by a doctor, but usually by a medic or a pre-measured self-injector.[3] The injection of cytoprethaline is routed into the subcutaneous tissue.[2] Cytoprethaline was developed around the same time that cryonics became commonplace due to interstellar travel, to account for the dangers of low temperatures in cryo-sleep. Cryo-sleep is almost always fatal without the use of cytoprethaline.[3]

However, 1 in 50,000 people exhibit an allergic reaction to this drug; those that do are disqualified from UNSC service, but can still serve in civilian roles attached to the UNSC.[3]Thomas Lasky is one of the few people to be diagnosed with this allergy, which was to be grounds for his discharge from Corbulo Academy of Military Science; however, the school was attacked by the Covenant before Lasky was shipped out.[1]

An allergic reaction to cytoprethaline results in blistering, peeling, or red skin rashes. Itching or hives, as well as swelling in the face, hands, or feet are other common allergic reactions. Swelling, or at least tingling, can also occur in throat or mouth. Trouble breathing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, cold sweat, and bluish-colored skin are common, severe results from a cytoprethaline allergic reaction. Sudden or severe headaches, or dizziness or problems with speech or with walking are other reactions.[2]